The Chief Choose of the Federal Excessive Courtroom has directed that the request by the immediate-past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, for the switch of the alleged cash laundering case instituted in opposition to him by the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee (EFCC) to Kogi State be introduced in open court docket.
In a letter addressed to Abdulwahab Muhammed, SAN, and Musa Yakubu, SAN, the Chief Choose drew the eye of the previous governor’s counsels to a pending attraction within the case: Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs FRN whereby the defendant had sought a consequential order remitting the case to the Chief Choose for reassignment.
The letter, signed by Particular Assistant to the CJ, Joshua Ibrahim Aji, Esq, mentioned on account of this, it could be improper to take any step that will be tantamount to pre-empting the end result of the attraction earlier than the Appellate Courtroom.
“There may be documentary proof of a pending attraction within the case Yahaya Adoza Bello Vs FRN filed on 17/05/2024 whereby the defendant as Appellant has sought a consequential order remitting the case to the Chief Choose for reassignment. It isn’t correct to take any step that may tantamount to pre-empting the end result of the Attraction.
“The primary concern raised is jurisdictional in nature and shall be extra appropriately determined by the court docket. The matter ought to due to this fact be introduced in open court docket,” the CJ said.
The Chief Choose famous that the principle offence alleged bordered on conversion of Kogi State funds to buy properties in Abuja, and that the submitting of the cost may both be in Abuja or Lokoja.
He referred to 2 ongoing circumstances earlier than the FHC in cost No FHC/ABJ/CR/550/22 FRN Vs Ali Bello and one other, and one other cost, FRN Vs Ali Bello and three others, the place the same request for switch was made and the decrease court docket refused the applying.